St. Louis Faulty Airbag Lawyer

Missouri Defective Airbag Claims

When it works in conjunction with a seatbelt, an airbag can help prevent catastrophic injuries and even wrongful death in Missouri. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for an airbag to fail to work properly, and for a driver or passenger to suffer serious injuries because of such failure. In such cases, the airbag manufacturer or the automaker may be held liable.

Examples of Defective Airbags

A defective airbag is one that does not do its job effectively, which is to protect the occupants of the vehicle. A defective airbag may:

• Fail to deploy during a major car collision
• Suddenly deploy in a minor crash or when it is unnecessary
• Deploy too slowly and fail to be effective
• Deploy at the wrong angle
• Deploy too forcefully and cause facial injuries

What Causes an Airbag to be Defective?

There are a number of mistakes that can lead to an airbag being defective. There are several questions that must be asked in the aftermath of a car accident in which the airbag was an issue. Was the airbag poorly designed? Were mistakes made during the assembly of the airbag? Was the airbag installed correctly? It is important that the vehicle be preserved intact after an accident so that an expert can thoroughly examine it to conclude whether any product defects are present, including airbag failure.

Injuries Suffered by Victims of Defective Airbags

Depending upon the type of defective airbag, the victim may suffer serious injuries. When an airbag deploys too quickly or at an inappropriate time, the victim may suffer blunt trauma to the face. Broken nose, eye injuries, and thermal burns are all possible injuries suffered in airbag-related accidents. Some victims even suffer hearing damage because of how loud the airbag deployment can be.

When an airbag fails to deploy, the victim may slam their head against the windshield, dashboard, or steering wheel. Victims of these types of accidents often suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and permanent disabilities.

Seeking Compensation for Airbag Injuries in Missouri

It is crucial that the defective airbag and the vehicle are preserved in their damaged state for a complete investigation. In some cases, an investigator may want to review medical records, the police report, the testimony of witnesses, and the crash site. It can be a complicated process to prove that a defective airbag resulted in a serious injury.

Anyone harmed by a defective airbag would be well-advised to preserve the vehicle, seek medical attention, and consult with a St. Louis personal injury attorney that has experience handling defective airbag cases. A successful auto products liability claim will cover damages including medical bills, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and even long-term care.

Our experienced Missouri accident lawyers know how to hold defective automakers accountable. If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective airbag or other auto product, please contact our law offices at (314) 322-8515 to obtain more information about your legal rights and options.